1999 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Asking Price Range

Estimated MPG

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), also known as "sticker" price, is a recommended selling price that automakers give a new car that is above the invoice price paid by the dealer. It is a price that does not include any options that can be added to a particular car style. When shown as a range, the prices are starting MSRPs, without options, for multiple styles for that model.

This price range reflects for-sale prices on Cars.com for this particular make, model and year.

These city and highway gas mileage estimates are for the model's standard trim configurations. Where there are optional features, packages or equipment that result in higher gas mileage, those fuel-economy estimates are not included here.

Expert Reviews

By Larry Printz

The Morning Call and Mcall.com

August 15, 1999

Don't you just love competition?

With trucks burning up the sales charts, all the major automakers are revamping their trucks.

While Ford radically rounded its pick-up and Dodge endowed its Ram with a Peterbilt front end, Chevy's new
truck goes down a more conservative path. In fact, it's hard to tell that there's been any change from the previous C/K Series full-size pickup.

But, looks can be deceiving. Like its GMC twin, the Chevy gets an all-new frame, new engines and upgraded
brakes. It even has new sheetmetal, although only a salesperson could tell the difference.

But what a difference. It is available in base, LS and LT trim levels, regular or extended cab, long (Fleetside) or short (Sportside) box, rear wheel or
four-wheel-drive in half or three-quarter ton size.

The base 200-horsepower 4300 V6 is carried over from the previous model. Three new V8 engines make their debut, all based on the new aluminum V8 first seen in the new Corvette. There's the 4.8-liter
V8 (255 horsepower 285 pound feet of torque), the 5.3-liter V8 (270 horsepower, 315 pound-feet of torque) and 6-liter V8 (300 horsepower, 355 pound-feet of torque).

The truck supplied by Chevrolet was a mid-level LS with the mid-level V8, the
5.3-liter, an engine most buyers will choose. It was an extended cab, with the short, Sportside bed.

The small box and shapely fenders gave the truck a funky look it would otherwise lack, given its conservative flanks. Unlike other pickups, this
extended cab has three doors, not four, and the door is on the passenger side, limiting its convenience.

Power is strong off the line, but that's as it should be with a big, meaty V-8. While Ford uses a more modern overhead-cam engine, GM uses an
older pushrod design, but it still yields impressive power. Fuel economy is still nothing special, but should come as little surprise.

The four-speed automatic shifts smoothly and efficiently. It features a towing mode that reduces shifting under
heavy loads. A 5-speed manual is also availble. GM's pickups are the only ones to feature automatic four-wheel-drive, a system GM dubs "Autotrac." This is not an all-wheel-drive system. The truck remains in rear-wheel-drive mode until extra traction is
needed, then transfers more power to the front wheels. The truck can also be locked into four-wheel-drive high or low modes. "Autotrac" will lock into these modes if it detects too much wheel slippage. It's standard on LT models, optional on LS models.

Handling is at the top of pack, being secure and stable, admirably so, even with an empty bed. It effectively communicates its limits to the driver, making for a surprisingly tossable nature for such a big rig. It's certainly easier to drive than its
C/K predecessors.

The biggest improvement is in braking ability. Previous generation Chevy trucks have small front disc/rear drum brakes with a mushy brake pedal. Stopping distances are shorter this year, thanks to discs at all
four corners and pads and rotors that are 40 percent larger than last year. Four-wheel-anti-lock is standard.

Seat comfort is good, with seatbelts integrated into the seat backs -- a nice touch. In the back, the folding seat has more room than its
competitors.

The interior seems more spacious, the dash is improved, even if it's lacking somewhat artistically. There are seams everywhere, lending the interior a busy, put-together-by-numbers look. But it seemed to have better assembly quality than
the GMC tested previously. Nothing rattled, and everything seemed solid.

The dash and doors seem sedan-like and feature the same amenities. There are two auxiliary power outlets. The climate and radio controls are easy to use. The glove box is
divided into compartments.

The LS Sportside extended cab starts at $25,000. Add in an auto tranny, 5.3-liter engine, sportside body, four-wheel-drive, fog lamps and a few other amenities and the bottom line shoots up $30,588 as tes ted. Choo
se your options carefully.

If you get the idea the Silverado has a lot of small improvements that add up to a big one, you've got the right idea. Although the interior is well built, it is still not as appealing as some competitors. What is better is
the ride/handling quotient, which seems top of the pops.

With Ford selling every pick-up it can build, the Dodge Ram gaining marketshare, and Toyota coming on strong with a new full-sized pickup later this year, Chevy will need all the ammunition it
can muster.